Last month we went hands-on with Capcom's mobile version of Devil May Cry 4. The game missed its intended late January release, but last week Devil May Cry 4 Refrain [$1.99] finally hit the App Store. In a post-Dead Space [$6.99/HD] world, where we've seen what is possible in bringing a console-like experience to iOS with an original storyline to boot, it's hard to get terribly excited for Devil May Cry 4 Refrain. Story-wise it's essentially a retelling of the console game with static cutscenes and text, and visually there is a lot to be desired. Still, the action is solid (though repetitive) and the virtual controls work really well. If you're a fan of the Devil May Cry series and are looking for a version you can squeeze into your pocket, then Devil May Cry 4 Refrain satisfies.

The game takes place over 10 levels which each consist of interconnected areas which you must explore. The environments look decent but are barren and lack any sort of life or vibrance. The game description boasts Retina Display support, but honestly I don't see it. The graphics are full of jagged edges and the text in the game is blurry and difficult to read. Overall the game certainly doesn't look bad, but it could stand to look much better compared to other titles on the App Store.

Graphics and presentation aside, the combat in Devil May Cry 4 Refrain is what really stands out. You control your character Nero with a virtual stick and an option for a 3 or 4 button setup. I suggest going with the 4 button setup that gives you a button each for jumping, shooting, swordplay, and using your Devil Bringer arm weapon. The simplified 3 button setup combines your gun and sword into one button, but takes away most of the skill of engaging in combat.

The Devil May Cry series is known for over-the-top combos and an emphasis on style, and this translates very well to the iOS version of the game. The actual mechanics behind the combos have been drastically simplified in order to work sufficiently with virtual controls, but the "feel" of the combat is still there. As you make your way through the game you'll be able to unlock a plethora of new moves for all your various attack types. These can be configured to your liking in the settings, offering a small bit of customization to your character.

As neat as it is that the stylish combat of Devil May Cry translates well to the mobile version, it still has a tendency to feel repetitive and button mashy. In fact, the general nature of the game is quite repetitive. The core experience involves entering a new room, clearing it of enemies, and moving on to the next. This is broken up somewhat by mild puzzle solving and boss battles, but for the most part the game hardly ever changes. It's also pretty light on difficulty and fairly short, as the entire game can be completed in just a couple of hours without much struggle. There is some replay value in going back to replay levels for a better score, but it's insubstantial.

Despite the drawbacks and overall unambitious nature of Devil May Cry 4 Refrain, I can't deny that I've had fun playing through it. Something about the combat is just really satisfying. Capcom has stated that there will be an update to the game adding Dante from the original Devil May Cry games as a playable character, which should address the current brevity of the game somewhat. Opinions of players in our forums are mixed, with some enjoying the game a good deal and some not at all. I think if you adjust your expectations accordingly, you'll find enough to like about Devil May Cry 4 Refrain. At its current price of $1.99, it's easy to recommend for fans of the series or action games in general.

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Last week Namco Bandai Games held their inaugural Ignite event in which they invite members of the media from all over the world to get a sneak peek at some of their planned gaming lineup for the year. Unfortunately, most of the juicy stuff was on the home console side of things, but there were still some noteworthy tidbits that are coming up for the iOS platform. Here's a quick roundup of everything from that event, click any of the following images to enlarge.

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Pac-Man Valentine's skin and Ms. Pac-Man for iPad - Just in time for Valentine's Day comes a Valentine's skin for Pac-Man. If you are a fan of pink and red, and like hearts littered throughout your UI, then you have a lot to be excited about for this upcoming update. Though it doesn't offer anything different functionality-wise, it is kind of nice to have an alternate color scheme for this classic game. Also, Namco announced that Ms. Pac-Man would be making her way to the iPad this year. There's not really any information for this just yet, nor are there any screens, but I'd imagine it will pretty much be similar to the iPad edition of Pac-Man.

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Ridge Racer Accelerated HD � iPad owners will soon be able to get their Ridge Racer on in an upcoming native version of the classic arcade racing franchise. This is essentially the iPhone version with everything scaled up for the larger screen, as content-wise the two games appear to be identical. It does look rather nice though in the higher resolution.

I was able to try out the game, and everything seems just about as good as it did in 2009 on the iPhone. If you enjoyed that version but have been itching to have this game on your iPad, then Ridge Racer Accelerated HD should satisfy. One interesting aspect to this release is that it will launch for free with limited content, and you'll have the ability to unlock the full version through a one time in-app purchase.

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Puzzle Quest 2 � One pretty exciting announcement at Ignite is that Puzzle Quest 2 will be receiving a shiny new coat of Retina Display compatibility for devices that support that as well as online multiplayer through Game Center. While I like when games are updated with Retina Display support as much as the next guy, the prospect of online multiplayer in one of the top RPG-style puzzle games is more than enough to get me excited. These additions to Puzzle Quest 2 should be hitting as a free update to the game within the next month or so.

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TNA Impact! � If you're a fan of pro wrestling, there really isn't a solid option for you on iOS. Hopefully that will change with the release of TNA Impact! I was able to give the game a try on both iPhone and iPad, and it appears like it will deliver a decent game of wrestling. It features a ton of different TNA characters as well as a fairly robust create-a-wrestler mode. There's also all the pre-match and backstage banter between characters that you would expect, as well as the flashy ring intros and high-flying maneuvers.

What I liked about TNA Impact! is that it didn't try and stray too far from a traditional wrestling game. Simple virtual buttons and an analog stick allow you to perform your suite of maneuvers, and it all seems to work really well. Plus, most importantly, it was a lot of fun. The one area where the game failed to impress is the visuals, with blocky and low-detail character models, though the iPad version does look a good deal better than its smaller screened counterpart. I'll be interested to see if there's improvement in this area at all before release. One very intriguing aspect though is multiplayer, with your usual options for local play but also online multiplayer through Game Center. We'll see how this all plays out when TNA Impact! launches this Spring.

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